Difficult Stories of Jesus: The Empty Tomb

It is often said that what is learned in seminary bible classes rarely reaches the pews; when difficult topics arise- e.g., what basis does the Christmas or Easter story have in history? - ministers often deflect the questions or appeal to a vague notion of mystery. This course aims to prepare ministers to have these difficult conversations through recent scholarship on the empty tomb. In the past several centuries, traditional Christian claims about the bodily resurrection of Jesus have been subject to great scrutiny. This has led to a number of competing proposals: the resurrection was "spiritual" and not corporeal, that the body of Jesus was stolen, that traditional claims are still viable, among many others. Likewise, how does one consider the virgin birth or narratives where Jesus disrupts the laws of nature? How might one navigate these claims for one's own theological position or articulate these complex - but crucial - issues to one's congregation? This class will not promote any particular explanation of the empty tomb, but will provide students with the tools to articulate their own understanding of what happened at the empty tomb and argue concisely why they believe that to be the case. It will also prepare them to discuss difficult issues about historicity with their congregation or other laity. Consequently, during course discussions we will extend our analyses to similarly difficult texts (e.g., virgin birth, miracles).